Camber Or Caster Patents (Class 280/86.751)
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Patent number: 11794814Abstract: The present invention provides reinforcing braces for attachment to factory-supplied chassis mounts for the lower control arms of steering knuckles of vehicles to reinforce and shield the mounts from objects below the vehicle encountered when traveling through rugged terrain. Each brace includes a pair of parallel sturdy metal flanges that are attached to a sturdy metal lower base plate. Each flange is designed to be attached to one of the flanges of the factory-supplied chassis mounts, and has an opening therein for receiving mounting hardware, and an open section for engagement with camber adjustment structures. The sturdy base plates provide a lower shield to protect the chassis and mounting hardware from damage from contact with large objects encountered below the vehicle. The front base plate may also include an elongated front shield for deflecting large objects as the vehicle moves forward.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Marlin Crawler, Inc.Inventor: Michael Czajkowski
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Patent number: 11458792Abstract: A center pivot suspension system according to various aspects of the present technology may include a multi-piece axle having controls arms that are pivotally connected to a center beam section of the axle. Each control arm may be able to pivot about the center section independently from the opposing control arm. A leaf spring may be coupled to each control arm to help absorb loads applied to a given control arm.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignees: Nate's Hot Rod Garage, LLC, Diamondback Motorsports, LLCInventors: Nathanial Tanquary, Michael Martinez
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Patent number: 11383574Abstract: The twist axle assembly includes a cross beam that extends along a length between opposite ends, and a pair of trailing arms are fixedly attached with the opposite ends. A spindle plate is fixedly attached with each of the trailing arms. For each spindle plate and trailing arm combination, the spindle plate and trailing arm are provided with cooperating orbital adjustment features which allow an orientation of the spindle plate relative to the trailing arm to be adjusted prior to the spindle plate being fixedly attached with the trailing arm for allowing preselection of a camber angle, a caster angle, and a toe angle for a wheel to be coupled with the spindle plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Frank Nick Casali
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Patent number: 11059338Abstract: A strut bearing may help bear a strut on a vehicle body and set and adjust camber at the strut of a wheel suspension. The strut bearing may include a fixing means, a releasable clamping connection between the strut bearing and the vehicle body, a strut receiver, and an adjustment device. The adjustment device may comprise a sliding block with a guide element, a bearing plate with a guide element receiver forming a linear guide of the sliding block with the guide element together with the guide element receiver, and a clamping plate. The bearing and clamping plates and the sliding block may be arranged such that the sliding block is clamped between the bearing and clamping plates. The strut receiver may be arranged on the sliding block such that a position of the sliding block in the linear guide correlates with the setting of the camber at the strut.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignees: thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH, thyssenkrupp AGInventors: Jens Priess, Daniel Wieners, Ralf Burdinski
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Patent number: 10981424Abstract: There is provided a control arm comprising a shell-like shell of a first material and a reinforcement of a plastic material, wherein the reinforcement has a flex-element which protrudes therefrom and which can be supported or guided by means of a vehicle structure in order in the event of jounce and/or rebound of the suspension to produce a resilient action equivalent to a conventional spring.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Mainz, Friedrich Wolf-Monheim, Rainer Souschek
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Patent number: 10882375Abstract: An active chassis for a two-track vehicle provided with a wheel suspension. A wheel carrier carrying a vehicle wheel is connected via connecting rod to the vehicle structure. The camber behavior of the vehicle wheel is defined by a mechanical camber curve of the vehicle wheels that is predetermined by the rigid kinematics of the connected rods, which defines a mechanical adjustment of the camber angle of the vehicle wheel depending on a spring path of the vehicle structure, and which is controllable with an actuator controller which can be controlled by a chassis control device.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Andreas Unger, Wolfgang Schmid, Uli Schaaf
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Patent number: 10800491Abstract: An upper arm projected line L5 is defined as a straight line formed by projecting an upper arm line L3 onto the projection line P1. a lower arm projected line L6 is defined as a straight line formed by projecting the lower arm line L4 onto the projection line P1. An intersection point Px1 between the upper arm projected line L5 and the lower arm projected line L6 is located in a region A1 defined higher than the horizontal plane P2 and defined farther outward in the right-left direction than the ski 4. The suspension enables turning performance of the straddle-type vehicle to be improved.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takeshi Kinugasa, Takashi Imamura, Kensuke Kamada, Ryuta Koshiishi
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Patent number: 10435059Abstract: Snowmobile having a suspension assembly comprising an upper A-arm, a lower A-arm, and a ski leg. The ski leg is pivotably connected to the upper A-arm via an upper A-arm connector and to the lower A-arm via a lower A-arm connector and is pivotable about a kingpin axis. A ski is connected to the ski leg via a ski connector. The upper A-arm connector, the lower A-arm connector and the ski connector are positioned one with respect to the others such that the kingpin axis is behind the ski connector at a level of the ski connector when the ski is viewed from the side.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Bertrand Mallette, Pascal Gagnon, Nicolas Bedard
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Patent number: 10369854Abstract: A device for adjusting camber and/or toe of a vehicle wheel includes a multi-part wheel carrier having a wheel-side carrier part, an axle-side guide part, and an adjusting member, in particular two rotary parts, arranged there between, by which the carrier part is swingable about a wobble point for toe and/or camber adjustment of the vehicle wheel. A bearing point is formed radially outside of the adjusting member, on which the carrier part and the guide part are articulated to one another. The bearing point is designed in a firm manner in the wheel-axle circumferential direction for support of the carrier part which is subjected to a brake torque, and is designed in a soft manner to realize a trouble-free adjustment and, compared with the wheel-axle circumferential direction, a particularly smooth adjustment of the carrier part about the toe and/or camber angle in the vehicle transverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Thomas Klinger, Vincent Pourroy-Solari
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Patent number: 9505432Abstract: A steering knuckle to be used with the steering assembly of a vehicle such as a farming tractor is disclosed. The steering knuckle comprises preconfigured attachment areas where attachment element(s) or bracket(s) can be releasably yet rigidly secured. The attachment areas may be further reinforced with additional knuckle material (e.g. metal, metallic alloy). The steering knuckle therefore provides predetermined and preconfigured attachment location(s) where a wheel-replacing track system can be secured, thereby allowing the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Inventors: Steeve Pare, Steve Frechette, Serge Latulippe, William Gasse, Andre Leger, Andre Todd, Nicolas Dubuc
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Patent number: 9248718Abstract: An adjustment device (1) for a chassis of a vehicle. The adjustment device includes at least one spindle (2), at least one slide-block (3), an axial guide (5) for the slide-block (3) and at least one connecting element (4, 17). The connecting element (4) is arranged, on the one hand, in a rotationally fixed manner on the spindle (2), and, on the other hand, is connected to the slide-block (3). The adjustment device (1) has an articulated joint (21) provided between the connecting element (4) and the slide-block (3).Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Torsten Kuhnt
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Patent number: 9221314Abstract: A wheel suspension for a wheel of a motor vehicle includes a wheel guide arm to which a wheel of the motor vehicle may be rotatably mounted remotely from the vehicle structure of the motor vehicle. The wheel guide arm may be attached via a point of attachment to an articulation member. The articulation member may be connected to the vehicle structure via at least one connecting member and be movably mounted relative to the vehicle structure. The wheel guide arm may be attached at the point of attachment to the articulation member via a changeable rotary joint. The rotary joint may be rotatable in a first switch position and fixed in terms of rotation in a second switch position.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ralf Hintzen, Thomas Gerhards
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Publication number: 20150123367Abstract: A wheel assembly for vehicle includes a wheel, at least one lower suspension link and one upper part, the wheel being arranged to rotate at 360°, to steer the vehicle around a pivot line, a projection of the pivot line onto a vertical projection plane including a vertical axis passing through a contact point between the wheel and ground defining a caster angle (?) with the vertical axis. The wheel assembly includes a at least one screw arranged to adjust the caster angle (?) such that the position of the upper part is moveable relative to the vehicle along a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2012Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventor: John Victor Gano
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Patent number: 8985595Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for vehicles, with a vehicle body and wheels articulated on the vehicle body by means of wheel suspension parts. The wheel suspension parts of each wheel oscillate during the driving mode, and contain a wheel carrier supporting the wheel rotatably about a wheel axle and links connecting said wheel carrier to the vehicle body. The relative movement between the vehicle body and wheel suspension parts can be detected by means of detecting means. Articulation positions of the same and/or other wheel suspension parts can be automatically changed by at least one actuating means depending on the relative movements detected by the detecting means. At least one first and at least one second detecting means are respectively assigned to first and second vehicle sides of a vehicle axle.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim
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Patent number: 8973930Abstract: A land vehicle, according to various aspects of the present invention allows the driver to lean with a frame that supports the driver and that pivots on a base. Motion of the frame is coupled to the wheels to adjust a camber of the wheels. The wheels are coupled to the base that provides a reference for independent wheel suspension mechanisms. As a result, banking of the vehicle does not affect the suspension of the wheels. Hydraulic assistance to counteract the forces of the suspension systems is unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Michael Rhodig
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Patent number: 8944439Abstract: A upper arm 4b of a suspension for a vehicle is constructed by: a casing 12 that is supported by the vehicle so as to be able to pivot in the up-down direction; a pair of screw shafts 20 that are supported by the casing 12 so as to be able to move only in the axial direction; a pair of screw nuts 21 that engage around the pair of screw shafts 20, and are supported by the casing so as only to be able to rotate; a worm reduction gear 14 that rotates the screw nuts 21; and a pair of link arms 29, where the base end sections respectively connect to the tip end sections of the pair of screw shafts 20 and the tip end sections respectively connect to knuckle 3 so as to be able to rotate around a shaft in the up-down direction of the vehicle. The screw shafts 20 are moved out in opposite directions from each other in the axial direction, which causes the opening angle of the pair of link arms 29a to change, and thus changes the overall length of the upper arm 4b in the width direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Yasuyuki Matsuda, Daisuke Gunji
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Patent number: 8894077Abstract: A device for adjusting the camber and/or the toe of a vehicle wheel of a motor vehicle includes a wheel carrier, which has a wheel-side carrier part and an axle-side guide part, between which rotary parts that can be rotated relative to each other are arranged, wherein at least one of the rotary parts can be adjusted in both rotational directions by means of a drive and a gear stage in order to adjust the toe and/or the camber. The gear stage for the rotary part is configured as harmonic drive gear train having a driving, elliptical drive disk, and a stationary, internally toothed ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8882116Abstract: The present invention provides a passive vehicle suspension system providing optimal camber gain and avoiding the “bump camber” problem. This vehicle suspension system utilizes a conventional sway bar and a kinematic system to rotate the tire(s) of a vehicle in a direction opposite the roll of the vehicle during turning or cornering, for example. The kinematic design allows for adjustability and optimization, providing optimal camber gain. Although an automotive vehicle suspension system is illustrated and described, and, specifically, a racing or everyday automotive vehicle suspension system, the concepts of the present invention are capable of much broader applicability.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: University of North Carolina at CharlotteInventors: James Franklin Cuttino, John Stewart Shepherd
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Patent number: 8820759Abstract: An apparatus allows for the independent adjustment of caster and camber for vehicles utilizing MacPherson strut front suspensions. The apparatus has, in stacked arrangement, a fastener plate, a lower plate, and an upper plate. Camber adjustments are generally made by manipulation of the lower plate and caster adjustments are generally made by manipulation of the upper plate. The upper plate may be mounted in two different positions to allow for different camber adjustments, such as for competitive situations and non-competitive situations. The device utilizes a thrust bearing having a race in the upper face of the spring perch and an opposing race which mounts around the base of the bearing cup.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Inventor: Brian Croutcher
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Publication number: 20140167375Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, and an axle mount. The axle mount may include a first sleeve and a second sleeve disposed at opposite ends of the axle mount. The first and second sleeves may receive top portions of a first axle rod and a second axle rod. The first axle rod and the second axle rod each include a top portion and a bottom portion bent with respect to the top portion. The bottom portion may be received by the rear wheels. The first and second sleeves may be disposed in a fixed position relative to the axle mount and an orientation of the first and second sleeves may be provided such that the bottom portion of each of the first and second axle rods is substantially parallel to a driving surface in response to the steering wheel being oriented in a neutral position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: HUSQVARNA ABInventor: Urban Stark
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Patent number: 8746713Abstract: A wheel suspension for motor vehicles includes at least one wheel guide element which is articulated both on an auxiliary frame that can be connected to the body of the motor vehicle and on a wheel carrier, a suspension and damping system as well as a steering system for the wheel. To achieve a universally applicable wheel suspension using identical parts, the auxiliary frame for each wheel suspension is designed as an independent modular frame, on which the a wheel guide element(s) is/are articulated, on which the suspension and damping system is supported, and on which at least one actuator is arranged directly or indirectly for actuating the suspension and damping system and/or the steering system and thus for setting predetermined wheel-specific wheel guidance and/or steering parameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Armin Ohletz, Walter Schmidt
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Patent number: 8708353Abstract: A toe/camber adjustment mechanism comprising: a first ear section having an aperture; a second ear section having an aperture; at least one cam plate positioned on at least one aperture in the ear sections, the cam plate comprising: a rod aperture offset from a center of the cam plate; a plurality of positioning apertures; and a torque application point; at least one locking insert member aligning and fixing at least one of the positioning apertures in the cam plate with at least one aperture in the ear sections; and a pivot rod extending through the apertures in the ear sections and the rod aperture.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Inventor: Jeffrey L. Vey
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Patent number: 8690171Abstract: A caster wheel assembly selectively providing steering assist includes a pivoting shaft coupled with a caster wheel with an engagement lug connected to the shaft in a fixed manner. A steering arm selectively engages the engagement lug to couple the steering arm and engagement lug so that pivoting motion of the steering arm is transferred to the engagement lug. A turn assist cylinder connects to an outward end of the steering arm and an engagement mechanism acting upon the steering arm for engaging the steering arm with the engagement lug. When engaged, the steering arm is coupled with the engagement lug such that the turn assist cylinder pivots the shaft and caster wheel. When disengaged, the steering arm is uncoupled with the engagement lug such that the shaft and caster wheel are free to pivot independent of the turn assist cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventor: Stanley R. Clark
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Patent number: 8689914Abstract: An omni-directional wheel assembly for a vehicle that includes a wheel, at least one lower suspension link and an upper attachment joint. Both the at least one lower suspension link and the upper attachment joint are attachable to the vehicle. The wheel is able to rotate at 360°, to steer the vehicle, around a pivot line positioned by the at least one lower suspension link and the upper attachment joint once attached to the vehicle. A projection of the pivot line onto a vertical projection plane comprises a vertical axis passing through a contact point between the wheel and ground defining a caster angle with the vertical axis, where whatever the orientation of the projection plane, the omni-directional wheel assembly includes an adjustment means able to adjust the caster angle within a predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Inventors: John Victor Gano, Enrique Hector Scalabroni
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Patent number: 8662516Abstract: A caster mounting assembly for mounting a caster wheel on a wheelchair frame includes a mounting body defining a barrel portion to be fixed relative to the wheelchair frame and a rotatable body within the barrel portion that supports the caster wheel thereon for rotation relative to the rotatable body about an upright caster axis. The caster axis is arranged for rotation together with the rotatable body relative to the mounting body. A locking member is slidable within a channel in the mounting body and includes teeth in meshing engagement with corresponding teeth on the rotatable body. One or more positioning screws permit the locking member to be controllably displaced between longitudinally different locking positions within the channel corresponding to different angular orientations of the caster wheel axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Inventor: Murray G. Slagerman
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Patent number: 8651503Abstract: A land vehicle, according to various aspects of the present invention allows the driver to lean with a frame that supports the driver and that pivots on a base. Motion of the frame is coupled to the wheels to adjust a camber of the wheels. The wheels are coupled to the base that provides a reference for independent wheel suspension mechanisms. As a result, banking of the vehicle does not affect the suspension of the wheels. Hydraulic assistance to counteract the forces of the suspension systems is unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Inventor: Michael Rhodig
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Patent number: 8645027Abstract: A method of adjusting the angular rolling position of the plane of a motor vehicle wheel, in which the wheel is mounted on a vehicle so that the plane of the wheel can present a static angular position and a safety angular position, the method providing for the plane of the wheel to be maintained in the static angular position when the wheel is rolling and, in case of detection of at least one critical rolling parameter, for the wheel plane to be shifted to a safety angular position for a predetermined time period before the plane of the wheel is returned to the static angular position. A wheel mounting of a motor vehicle in which the method can be implemented is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignees: Societe de Technologie Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Michel Blondelet, Alain Vaxelaire, Christophe Pyszczek
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Patent number: 8622406Abstract: The present invention provides an eccentric pivot member for effecting fore and aft movement of a leading end of a trailing beam member of a trailing beam suspension in response to rotation of the pivot member. Ratchet collars are provided which act between the eccentric pivot member and a suspension hanger to mechanically secure the assembly against rotation and any associated inadvertent misalignment.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Inventor: Nicholas Eveley
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Patent number: 8585068Abstract: An independent rear suspension for a vehicle having a chassis and a pair of rear wheels including a pair of IRS units. Each IRS unit includes an X-shaped lower control arm with a forward pivot connection to the chassis in front of the centerline of the driven sprocket and a rearward pivot connection behind the centerline, and a camber link connected to the chassis at a single pivot connection behind the centerline. Each IRS unit also includes a shock absorber coupled with an anti-sway bar to the lower control arm at a mount, and including a secondary spring in series with a main spring.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Adam J. Schlangen, Jeffrey D. Bennett, Brian T. Utter, Stephen L. Nelson, Louis J. Brady
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Patent number: 8534684Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, comprising a wheel carrier (14), which has a wheel-side carrier part (16) that rotatably supports a vehicle wheel (12) and an axle-side guide part (18), between which a control element is connected, wherein the wheel-side carrier part (16) can be pivoted about a pivot angle relative to the axle-side guide part (18) to set a toe angle and/or camber angle when the control element is actuated. According to the invention, the wheel carrier (14), in particular the guide part (18) thereof, is guided directly or indirectly on a linear guide (26) affixed to the body in form of a slotted guide, allowing movement in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8500133Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel-side carrier part (12) holding a vehicle wheel (1) in a rotatable manner, and an axle-side guiding part (14) between which mutually rotating rotary parts (16, 18) are arranged. The guiding part (14), the rotary parts (16, 18) and/or the carrier part (12) interact with first and second effective areas (18a, 36a; 18b, 16b; 16a, 54a) facing each other. According to the invention, the first effective area radially defines a conical or spherical hollow profile into which the corresponding second effective area protrudes in an essentially form-fitting manner.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8490983Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a support element on the wheel-side rotatably mounting a vehicle wheel and a carrier element on the axle-side, wherein the carrier element on the wheel-side can be adjusted for setting a toe and/or camber angle relative to the support element on the axle-side, wherein the carrier elements on the axle-side and on the wheel-side are coupled to a universal joint in which webs of the carrier elements on the wheel-side and on the axle-side are articulated on a gimbal ring element by means of bearing points. The webs of the support elements are articulated on the gimbal ring element at the bearing points by means of ball joints.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Heinrich Beringer, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira
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Publication number: 20130175776Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting camber and/or toe of a vehicle wheel having a wheel carrier (10) on which the wheel is rotatably mounted, the wheel guide element (10) having a carrier member (12) receiving the wheel, a guide member (14) on the axle side and at least one intermediately arranged actuating element (16, 18) for adjusting camber and/or toe of the vehicle wheel, which actuating element (16, 18) has a drive connection to at least one servomotor (26, 28). According to the invention, the carrier member (12) and the guide member (14) are each coupled by a cardanic articulated connection to a corresponding articulated fork (32, 34) and a supporting ring (40) connecting the articulated fork (32, 34) via bearing pins (38), and the servomotor (26, 28) is connected to the actuating element (16, 18) via a belt drive (30) which passes through an intermediate space (39) in the articulated forks (32, 34).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8469371Abstract: An active geometric control suspension system may include an upper arm connected to a side above and between a rear wheel-sided knuckle and a subframe, and an assist link connected to the other side above and between the knuckle and the subframe, together with a node-changeable unit, wherein the node-changeable unit includes a housing formed at a portion of the subframe, a track-variable kit detachably coupled to brackets of the housing, cam-operating rails fixed to a side of the track-variable kit, a cam disposed on the cam-operating rails of the track-variable kit to be slidable up/down along the cam-operating rails, and a cam bolt connecting the cam with a vehicle body-sided connecting portion of the assist link.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Byung Gu Kang, Sang Hoon Yoo
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Publication number: 20130154219Abstract: A caster wheel assembly selectively providing steering assist includes a pivoting shaft coupled with a caster wheel with an engagement lug connected to the shaft in a fixed manner. A steering arm selectively engages the engagement lug to couple the steering arm and engagement lug so that pivoting motion of the steering arm is transferred to the engagement lug. A turn assist cylinder connects to an outward end of the steering arm and an engagement mechanism acting upon the steering arm for engaging the steering arm with the engagement lug. When engaged, the steering arm is coupled with the engagement lug such that the turn assist cylinder pivots the shaft and caster wheel. When disengaged, the steering arm is uncoupled with the engagement lug such that the shaft and caster wheel are free to pivot independent of the turn assist cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: AGCO CORPORATIONInventor: AGCO CORPORATION
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Patent number: 8459661Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, with at least one wheel-side support member which pivotally supports one vehicle wheel and at least one axle-side support member, between which at least one intermediate element is connected, in particular an actuator for setting the track angle and/or the camber angle (?, ?) of the vehicle wheel. According to the invention the wheel-side support member and the axle-side support member are pressed into contact with one another by a pretensioning means with a pretensioning force (FV).Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Mueller
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Patent number: 8371593Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of the wheels of a wheel suspension, particularly for motor vehicles, having a wheel carrier on which each wheel is rotatably supported and comprising a carrier part receiving the wheel and a guide part connected to the wheel suspension, between which rotating parts (26, 28) rotating about a rotation axis and preferably driven by an electric motor are disposed, bringing about a defined displacement of the carrier part and/or the guide part by the rotational actuation thereof for changing the camber and/or toe. According to the invention, a single adjusting drive (54) is provided for actuating the rotary parts (26, 28), by means of which the two rotary parts (26, 28) can be adjusted in different, particularly in opposite, directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller
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Patent number: 8360449Abstract: A suspension assembly for a land vehicle comprises a spindle defining a steering axis for the land vehicle and configured to pivotably couple to a ground contact; an upper pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a lower pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a resilient member having an upper end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and a lower end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a caster adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust caster; and a camber adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust camber.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Jeffrey Edward Pruetz
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Patent number: 8333015Abstract: A method for adjusting the camber of a vehicle's axle comprising attaching collars (30, 30?, 32, 32?, 44) to the axle (12) of the vehicle attaching links (38, 38?) to the collars, introducing a deflection in the axle in a concave downward direction and modifying the length.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventor: Zachary A. Merrill
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Publication number: 20120306174Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a support element on the wheel-side rotatably mounting a vehicle wheel and a carrier element on the axle-side, wherein the carrier element on the wheel-side can be adjusted for setting a toe and/or camber angle relative to the support element on the axle-side, wherein the carrier elements on the axle-side and on the wheel-side are coupled to a universal joint in which webs of the carrier elements on the wheel-side and on the axle-side are articulated on a gimbal ring element by means of bearing points. The webs of the support elements are articulated on the gimbal ring element at the bearing points by means of ball joints.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Heinrich Beringer, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira
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Publication number: 20120306173Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the camber and/or toe of a motor vehicle wheel includes a wheel carrier, on which the wheel is rotatably mounted. The wheel carrier is divided into a carrier member receiving the wheel via a wheel bearing, an axle-side guide member, and a bearing assembly arranged therebetween. The bearing assembly includes rotary parts which can be rotated relative to each other and relative to both the carrier member and the guide member and which interact with confronting inclined faces. The wheel bearing includes a radially outer bearing housing, which is clamped by the bearing assembly formed from the rotary parts into a plug-and-socket connection with the carrier member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Publication number: 20120280465Abstract: A wheel suspension for motor vehicles includes at least one wheel guide element which is articulated both on an auxiliary frame that can be connected to the body of the motor vehicle and on a wheel carrier, a suspension and damping system as well as a steering system for the wheel. To achieve a universally applicable wheel suspension using identical parts, the auxiliary frame for each wheel suspension is designed as an independent modular frame, on which the a wheel guide element(s) is/are articulated, on which the suspension and damping system is supported, and on which at least one actuator is arranged directly or indirectly for actuating the suspension and damping system and/or the steering system and thus for setting predetermined wheel-specific wheel guidance and/or steering parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Armin Ohletz, Walter Schmidt
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Patent number: 8267413Abstract: The present invention is a device for adjusting the camber angle of a tire/wheel assembly of a vehicle. The device comprises a camber arm having a cage. The cage comprises a cavity and front and top walls. The top wall comprises first and second slots. The cage further comprising a cut-out extending along the front and top walls. The device further comprises a ball joint assembly adjustably engaged with the cage. The device further comprises a fastener for securing the upper clamping plate to the lower clamping plate of the ball joint assembly. The ball joint assembly is adjustably moved along the first and second slots of the cage from a first position where the outward portion of the ball joint housing is disposed outside of the cavity of the cage and a second position where the outward portion of the ball joint housing is disposed within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Group-A Autosports, Inc.Inventor: David Hsu
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Patent number: 8256786Abstract: A caster mount assembly for a front caster of a wheelchair. The assembly includes a first rotatable body having a first plurality of non-uniformly spaced apart apertures and a second rotatable body having a second plurality of non-uniformly spaced apart apertures. The first and second rotatable bodies may be rotated relative to one another along a common axis of rotation to align a selected one of the first apertures with a selected one of the second apertures. The first rotatable body is non-rotatably coupled to the second rotatable body by a first coupler after the selected first aperture and second aperture have been aligned. A bearing fork assembly is non-rotatably coupled to the second rotatable body for rotation therewith. The second rotatable body may be rotated to orient an upright pivot pin of the bearing fork assembly substantially perpendicular to a support surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Tisport, LLCInventors: Alan N Ludovici, Doug Garven
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Publication number: 20120193882Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of the wheels of a wheel suspension, particularly for motor vehicles, having a wheel carrier on which each wheel is rotatably supported and comprising a carrier part receiving the wheel and a guide part connected to the wheel suspension, between which rotating parts (26, 28) rotating about a rotation axis and preferably driven by an electric motor are disposed, bringing about a defined displacement of the carrier part and/or the guide part by the rotational actuation thereof for changing the camber and/or toe. According to the invention, a single adjusting drive (54) is provided for actuating the rotary parts (26, 28), by means of which the two rotary parts (26, 28) can be adjusted in different, particularly in opposite, directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2010Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller
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Publication number: 20120098221Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, comprising a wheel carrier (14), which has a wheel-side carrier part (16) that rotatably supports a vehicle wheel (12) and an axle-side guide part (18), between which a control element is connected, wherein the wheel-side carrier part (16) can be pivoted about a pivot angle relative to the axle-side guide part (18) to set a toe angle and/or camber angle when the control element is actuated. According to the invention, the wheel carrier (14), in particular the guide part (18) thereof, is guided directly or indirectly on a linear guide (26) affixed to the body in form of a slotted guide, allowing movement in the vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8162332Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of a driven wheel of a wheel suspension, in particular for motor vehicles, with a wheel carrier on which the wheel is pivoted, the wheel carrier being divided into a carrier part which holds the wheel a guide part which is connected to the wheel suspension and into two pivotal parts which are arranged in between, which can be rotated to one another as well as to the carrier part and to the guide part around axes of rotation, and which interact with control surfaces which face one another and which are inclined by a defined angle to the axis of rotation, and a wheel drive shaft which is guided by the carrier part and guide part and by the pivotal parts.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Mueller, Wolfgang Schmid
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Patent number: 8146931Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a knuckle having an upper end and a lower end. A bracket is mounted to one of the upper end and the lower end of the knuckle by a plurality of fasteners. A ball joint is mounted to the bracket and configured for attaching the wheel assembly to the vehicle. One of the knuckle and the bracket defines a boss and the other defines a bore. The boss is slideably disposed within the bore in slip fit engagement. The boss transfers a load between the knuckle and the bracket in both a vertical direction along a king pin axis and a horizontal direction along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Axletech International IP Holdings, LLCInventor: Dan S. Ursu
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Patent number: 8128110Abstract: A combination of existing suspension designs is provided to suspend moving vehicles such as cars, trucks, planes, and snowmobiles and provide two degrees of freedom in the wheels or skis. The design combines a dive suspension with a roll suspension, including a locking linkage. The locking linkage locks out the roll suspension during dive, jounce, flight or two-wheel bump motion. Both the dive and roll suspensions are responsive during roll motion and one-wheel bump motion.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Sacli Suspension, LLCInventor: Melih Sacli
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Patent number: 7988158Abstract: A driving device for adjusting an orientation of a wheel attached to a vehicle body includes: a driving unit; a lifting shaft extending along a first axis and capable of moving axially when driven by the driving unit; a suspension arm extending along a transverse direction intersecting the first axis, and having one end adapted for connection with the wheel and another end disposed in proximity to the lifting shaft; and a cam unit including at least one roller connected to one of the lifting shaft and the suspension arm, and an inclined cam face provided on the other one of the lifting shaft and the suspension arm. The roller and the inclined cam face interact with each other such that the suspension arm moves along the transverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Automotive Research and Testing CenterInventors: Tyng Liu, Cheng-Shun Jiang, Chih-Jung Yeh